The Brenda Carlson
Memorial Award was set up to recognize JHS members who have gone
"above and beyond" the call of duty to the society. Brenda
Carlson was a founding member of The Jacksonville Herpetological Society and a warm, friendly, loving individual who
served the society as an officer.
She acquired her love for herps through the educational programs that
the JHS had to offer and expanded her interests in all types of herps.
When my family became members of the JHS, Brenda was the Secretary
and everyone has fond memories of her interest in ball pythons and her wearing hats. She passed away, much too soon due
to cancer and the President of the JHS at
that time, Dr. John Rossi, decided to create an annual
award given to an outstanding member of the JHS (as chosen by the President)
to honor her memory. One of the final acts that the outgoing President
performs is to present this award annually at the June meeting. We usually invite Dr. Rossi to make the presentation
and also invite Brenda's family (who maintain
their memberships to this day) to the meeting.